Latch



Nov. 17, 1931; Q. P. cRAMER 1,832,004

LATCH Filedllay 13. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l lNvENToR OTTO 1a. (1m/WER ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1931. o. P. CRAM'ER LATCH Filed May 13, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheer. 2

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da www INVENTOR o-rra n CRA/15a HIS ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1931 PATENT orllcl.

OTTO .'P. CRAMER, OF SAN FRANCIISGO, CALIFORNIA LATCH Application 1ed May 13, 1929. Serial No. 362,507.

My invention relates to fastening means for doors, and particularly to a knob actuated door latch operable from the inside of the c oor.

An object of the invention is the provision of a latch, of the character described, which is inexpensive, of sturdy construction and composed of few and simple parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a latch of such construction that skilled mortising of the door is not `required to mount the latch in position.

Another object of the invention isthe provision of a knob actuated door latch operable from the inside of the door, and which does not require a knob of non-conventional construction.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a latch ofthe character described, which may be used in combination with a lock and other means, so that the latch may be operable from the outside of the door.

My invention possesses other -objectsand valuable features, some of which will be set forth lin the following description of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said description and drawings, as I may adopt varying forms of my invention within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view through the latch and a portion of the vdoor vand jamb with which it is used, portions of the view being shown in elevation to disclose clearly the construction.

Figure 2 ia a vertical sectional view taken in a plane indicated by the line 2-2of-Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view Yof a portion of the structure, the planes of section being indicated by line 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 yis a vertical sectional view taken in a plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 1. f y

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view ofthe latch, similar to that ofFigure r2, but showing a modified arrangement in which the latch is used in combination with a lock.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken in a plane indicated by line 6-6 of Figure-5 i In terms of broad inclusion, the door latch of my invention comprises a spring pressed latch bolt having a strike plate engaging portion, and adapted to be mounted in the edge of the door. rlhe bolt is adapted for retraction from one side of the door, preferably the inside, by means including a rotatable knob actuated shaft mounted for `movement transverse with respect to the bolt.

.Means are provided for yieldingly maintaining the shaft in a predetermined position, which is preferably its extended or outward position. In such position, means are provided for dogging the retracting means to prevent retraction o'f the bolt and opening of the door when it is closed.

Upon movement of the shaft inwardly from the predetermined or extnded position, the dogging means is rendered inoperative, automatic means being provided for releasably holding the shaft in the inoperative position of the `(logging means. This lpermits retraction of the bolt and opening of the door, until the Ashaft holding means is released, whereupon the shaft is thrust outwardly to effect clogging of the retracting means.

rotatable knob actuated shaft,accessible from 'ACA the outside of the door and in alinement with the iirstshaft, is mounted for Arotation with the first shaft.

ing the stem 12 and compressed between the head 11 and the inner end 14 of the casing, thrusts the bolt outwardly of the door, a pin 17 being provided in the stem 12 and outside of casing 6 to limit outward movement of the latch bolt.

Intermediate its ends, the tubular portion 9 of the latch bolt is provided with a plug 18 having an outwardly extending threaded stem 19 upon which is adjustably fixed the jamb engaging portion of the bolt, which comprises the cylindrical head 21 flattened at one side 22 and provided at its outer edge with an inclined face 23, so that when the 'door is closed, latching 'engagement of the bolt with the strike plate 24 on the jamb 26 may be effected.

Retracting means for the latch bolt includes a rotatably vmounted knob actuated shaft 27 positioned transverse with respect to the latch bolt and casing 6, and accessible from outside of the door. Transverse movement of this shaft is prevented by means of collar 28 and the inner end of knob 29, providing a groove in which engages the flange 31 of housing 32 mounted on the outer side of the door. Shaft 27 passes thru a door recess 33 communicating with the hole 7 in the door, and which may be quickly and conveniently formed by boring. Adjacent its inner end, shaft 27 is formed with a semi-cylindrical shank 34 projecting into casing 6 and into the tubular portion 9 of the latch bolt, thru apertures formed in these parts. The inner end of shank 34 is provided with a circular bushing 36 which centers the shaft in the circular hole 37 formed in the inner side of the door and communicating with hole 7.

Accessible from the inside of the door is a knob actuated shaft 38 in alinement with the shaft 27, and having a semi-cylindrical shank 39 passing thru door aperture 37, an aperture in bushing 36 and of preferably the same shape as the cross section of the shank,

Vrecesses in the casing 6 and tubular portion 9 of the latch bolt, and into the casing. The side surfaces of Shanks 34 and 39 abut against veach other, the shafts being mounted for rotation together by means of engagement of shank 39 with bushing 36, and the pin 41 on shank 34, which passes thru the elongated slot 42 formed adjacent the inner end of shank 39. This construction permits slidable movement of shaft 38 transverse with respect to the casing 6 and the latch bolt; a spring 43, mounted in a hollow portion in shaft 27 and abutting against the inner end of shank 39, normally urging the knob actu- Vated shaft 38 in an extended position, but

permitting inward movement of shaft 38 against the action of the spring. Pin 41, when it-abuts against the inner end of slot j 42, limits outward movement of shaft 38.

Shank 39 carries a semi-circular cam 44 which engages the head 11 in the tubular portion 9 of the latch bolt, the head being formed with a groove 45 thru which shank 34 of shaft 27 passes. When the shaft 38 is in its extended position, the cam abuts against the edge of recess 46 formed in casing 6, thereby preventing rotation of either of the shafts 27 or 38 thus preventing retraction of the latch bolt, and providing means for dogging the retracting means. When shaft 38 is moved inwardly against the action of spring 43, disengagement of cam 44 with the casing 6 is effected, thus rendering the dogging means inoperative.

It is thus seen that when the transversely movable shaft is in the inward position, the latch bolt may be retracted from either the inside or outside of the door by respectively turning shafts 38 or 27, but when the transversely movable shaft 38 is in extended position, the retracting means is dogged.

Automatic means are provided for releasably holding the transversely movable shaft 38 when it is thrust inwardly, so that the latch bolt may be retracted from either side of the door. A circular plate 47, fixed on the inner side of the door 8, is provided with an aperture 48, thru which shaft 38 passes. Pivot-ally mounted on the plate 47 is a latch plate 49 having a curved portion 51 with an edge tapered inwardly and passing around the shaft 38, the latch plate being urged toward shaft 38 by means of spring 52 fixed thereto and bearing against the pin 53 mounted upon plate 47. Shaft 38 is provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves or recesses 54, positioned so that when shaft 38 is maintained in extended position, the curved portion 51 of the latch plate does not engage therein. The grooves 54 are cut so that the portions of the shaft defining the grooves are conically shaped, apex inwardly; the grooves being complementary to the tapered edge of the latch plate 49.

When shaft 38 is thrust inwardly, spring 52 thrusts the latch plate into engagement with the grooves to hold shaft 38 inwardly, so that the latch bolt may be retracted. If it' is desired to dog the retracting means, latch plate 49 must be moved out of engagement with shaft 38, so as to permit spring 43 to thrust the shaft 38 outwardly into the dogging position of cam 44 and casing 6. Preferably the engaging edge of the latch plate is inclined and the grooves 54 are conically shaped, so that when shaft 38 is thrust inwardly the latch plate may automatically 'engage in any of the grooves 54.

A housing 56, surrounding the shaft 38, is provided for enclosing the latch plate and spring 52; and an aperture 57, thru which the lat-ch plate extends, is formed in the housing.

It is to be noted that when the transversely movable shaft is in extended position and the retraeting means is dogged, plug 18 of the latch bolt' is closely adjacent'cam .44. Hence, in the dogged position Vof vthe retracting means, the 4latch bolt is also dogged to prevent the latch bolt from `being pushed inwardly. This makes it impossible for one to disengage the latch bolt from the strike plate 24 when the door is closed andlatched. In order to permit turning-of cam 44 so that the latch bolt may be retracted when the transversely movable shaft is thrust inwardly, a recess 57 is formed in plug 18; the position of the recess `being such that cam 44 can only turn therein when the transversely movable shaft is in its inward `position and free to turn.

From the preceding description, it is seen that when the door is closed and latched, shaft 38 is in extended position, thereby making it impossible to open the-door from the outside, as previously explained. The door may be opened from the inside by merely thrusting knob actuated shaft 38 inwardly and rotating the shaft, a natural operation for the operator. Vhen the shaft 38 is thrust inwardly, it is automatically held in this position, to permit retraction of the latch bolt from either the inside or outside of the door. Should one desire to latch the door from the inside thereof, he merely moves latch plate 49 out of engagement with groove 54, whereupon shaft 38 is thrust outwardly to effect clogging of the retracting means.

If a child should happen to dog the latch bolt retracting means when at the inside of the door, it is unlikely that he will be unable to open the door because, as previously eX- plained, the door may be opened by a natural meshing and turning of the knob. The construction described does not require a knob of special construction; consequently, an economy in the structure itself as well as that of installation, is effected.

The door latch of this invention is especially applicable for installation on doors, such as bath room doors, whereit is desired to Vlatch the door from the inside.

In Figures 5 and 6, is shown a modified arrangement in which the latch mechanism may be used in combination with a lock, so that the door may be opened from the outside when the retracting means of the latch bolt is dogged. The construction of the latch bolt, dogging means and retracting means is the same as that previouslyl described.

In this arrangement, a latch plate 61 is pivotally mounted on the plate 62 which is fixed on the inner side of the door. The latch plate comprises a downwardly extending arm 63 adapted to engage in the conically shaped grooves 54 in the transversely movable shaft 38, when it is thrust inwardly to render inoperative the latch bolt clogging means, a spring G4 being provided for urging the latch plate toward shaft '38.

For effecting release of the 'transversely .movable shaft 38 when it is held inwardly by the latch plate 6l, an upwardly extending arm 66 is provided thereon. The arm is adapted to engage in the 'double conically shaped recess 67 formed in the pin 68 which extends transversely through the door, so as to be accessible from either side of the door. .It is thus seen that by pushing the pin from eitherside of the door, arm `66 is caused to ride on one of the cones of the recess, to cause disengagement of the latch plate with the transversely movable shaft when it is held invwardly.

Means, operable from the outside of the door,are provided to `render inoperative the latch bolt clogging means when the transversely movable shaft is in outward position, so that the door maybe opened. A lock 69, ofany well-known construction and capable of being operated bygmeans of the proper key 7l, is mounted in the outer side of the door. As usual with a lock of this character, itis provided with a rotatable element such as `the barrel 72, which turns upon movement of the `proper key in the lock. Mounted for .rotation with the barrel is a cylindrical cam 7 3, having the high side 74 and the low side 76, Aand extending beyond the inner side of the door.

A "rocker arm 77 pivotally mounted in the brackets 78 on plate 62, is `provided adjacent one end with -a recess 79 partially encircling the .transversely movable shaft 38, .the shaft being provided with a collar 8l abutting against the rocker arm 77. The opposite end of the rocker arm abuts against the cam 7 3, the position of the cam on the lock barrel 72 being such that when the transversely movable shaft is in extended position, the rocker arm abuts against the `low portion 7 6 of the cam.

It is thus seen that by turning the key 7l in the llock 69, the cam 7 3 will turn, to cause the rocker arm 77 `to press against collar 81, 'andthus push the transversely movable shaft 38 inwardly, so `as to render the latch bolt clogging means inoperative, and thereby permit retraction of the latch bolt and opening the door from the outside. To complete the assembly, a housing 83 is provided for enclosingthe elements on the inside of the door.

latch bolt retracting means may be dogged to latch the door, by 'merely pushing pin 68 `from either side of the door; and the door, when latched, can only be opened'from the Voutside by one vhavingtheproper key lfor lock 69. The described arrangement is particularly applicable for outside doors, such as house doors.

I claim:

l. A door latch comprising a spring pressed latch bolt adapted to be movably mounted Within the door, means for retracting said bolt including a shaft mounted for movement transverse with respect to the bolt, means for vclogging said retracting means in a predetermined position of the shaft, means for yieldably maintaining the shaft in said position, said clogging means being inoperative upon movement of the shaft from said position, and means for releasably holding the shaft in the inoperative position ofthe clogging` means.

2. A door latch comprising a spring pressed latch bolt adapted to be movably mounted Within the door, means for retracting said bolt including` a knob actuated shaft mounted for movement transverse with respect to the bolt and accessible from the inside of the door, a second knob actuated shaft connected with the movable shaft and accessible from the outside of the door, means for clogging said retracting means in a predetermined position of the transversely movable shaft, means for yieldably maintaining the shaft in said position, said dogging means being inoperative upon movement of the shaft from said position.

3. A door latch comprising a spring pressed latch bolt adapted to be movably mounted Within the door, means for retracting said bolt including a lrnob actuated shaft mounted for movement transverse With respect to the bolt and accessible from the inside of the door, a second knob actuated shaft connected With the movable shaft and accessible from the outside of the door, means for clogging said retracting means in a predetermined position of the transversely movable shaft, means for yieldably maintaining the shaft in said position, said clogging means being inoperative upon movement of the shaft from said position, and means adapted to be mounted on the inside of the door for releasably holding the transversely movable shaft in the inoperative position of the dogging means.

ll. A door latch comprising a casing adapted to be mounted within the door, a spring pressed latch bolt slidably mounted Within said casing, a rotatable shaft mounted for movement transverse With respect to the bolt and extending into the casing, means for Vyieldably maintaining the shaft in a predetermined position, and a cam carried by said shaft and adapted to abut against the casing in the predetermined position of the shaft to hold the shaft against rotation, said cam being adapted te engage the bolt upon move ment of the shaft from said position Whe'reby the bolt may be retracted upon rotation of the shaft.

' 5. A door latch comprising a casing adapted to be mounted Within the door, a spring pressed latch bolt slidably mounted within said casing, a. rota-table shaft mounted for movement transverse with respect to the bolt and extending into the casing, means for yieldably maintaining the shaft in a predetermined position, and a cam carried by said shaft and adapted to abut against the casing in the predetermined position of the shaft to hold the shaft against rotation, said cam being adapted to engage the bolt upon movement of the shaft from said position whereby the bolt may be retracted upon rotation of the shaft, and means for releasably holding the shaft in rotatable position.

6. A door latch comprising a casing adapted to be mounted Within the door, a spring pressed latch bolt slidably mounted Within said casing, a rotatable shaft mounted for movemen-J transverse With respect to the bolt and extending into the casing on one side thereof, a second shaft connected for rotation With the movable shaft and extending into the casing on the opposite side thereof, means for yieldably maintaining the transversely movable shaft in a predetermined position, and a cam carried by the transversely movable shaft and adapted to abut against the casing in the predetermined position of the shaft, said cam being adapted to engage the bolt upon movement of said shaft from the position whereby the bolt may be retracted upon rotation of either of said shafts.

7. A door latch comprising a casing adapted to be mounted within the door, a spring pressed latch bolt slidably mounted Within said casing, a rotatable shaft mounted for movement transverse with respect to the bolt and extending into the casing on one side thereof, a second shaft connected for rotation With the movable shaft and extending into the casing on the opposite side thereof, means for yieldably maintaining the traiisversely movable shaft in a predetermined position, and a cam carried by the transversely movable shaft and adapted to abut against the casing in the predetermined position of the shaft, said cam being adapted to engage the bolt upon movement of said shaft from the position whereby the bolt may be retracted upon rotation of either of said shafts, and means for releasably holding the transversely movable shaft in rotatable position.

8. A door latch comprisingl a spring pressed latch bolt adapted to be movably mounted Within the door, means retracting said bolt including a peripherally grooved shaft mounted for movement transverse with respect to the bo t and accessible from a side of the door, means for clogging said retracting means in a predetermined position of the shaft, means for yieldably maintaining the shaft in said position, said dogging means being inoperative upon movement of the shaft from said position, and a spring actuated latch adapted to be mounted on said side of the door for engaging in the groove of the shaft to hold the shaft in the inoperative position of the clogging means.

9. A doorv latch comprising a spring pressed latch bolt adapted to be movably mounted Within the door, means for retracting said bolt including a peripherally grooved shaft mounted for movement transverse With respect to the bolt and accessible from a side of the door, means for clogging said retracting means in a predetermined position of the shaft, means for yieldably maintaining' the shaft in said position, said clogging means being inoperative upon movement of the shaft from said position, and a spring actuated latch adapted to be pivotally mounted on said side of the door for engaging in the groove of the shaft to hold the shaft in the inoperative position of the clogging means.

10. A door ,latch comprising a spring pressed latch bolt adapted to be movably prevent retraction of the bolt, said cam dogging the latch bolt in the dogged position thereof.

15. The combination With a door latch comprising a spring pressed latch bolt adapted to be movably mounted Within the door, means for retracting said bolt including a shaft mounted for movement transverse with respect to the bolt, means for clogging said retracting means in a predetermined position of the shaft, and means for clogging the latch bolt in said position of the shaft, of a lock having a rotatable element, and means actuated by rotation of the element for moving the shaft from said position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

OTTO P. CRAMER.

mounted Within the door, means for retracting said bolt including a shaft mounted for movement transverse with respect to the bolt, means for clogging said retracting means in a predetermined position of the shaft and means for clogging the latch bolt in said position of the shaft.

11. A door latch comprising a spring pressed latch bolt adapted to be movably mounted Within the door, means for retracting said bolt including a pair of connected shafts, one of said shafts being mounted for movement transverse with respect to the bolt, means for clogging said retracting means in a predetermined position of the transversely movable shaft, and means for clogging the latch bolt in said position of the shaft.

12. A door Vlatch comprising a spring pressed latch bolt adapted to be movably mounted Within the door. and means for retracting said bolt including a cam mounted for movement transverse with respect to the bolt, said cam clogging the latch bolt in a predetermined position thereof.

13. A door latch comprising a casing adapted to be mounted Within the door, a spring pressed latch bolt slidably mounted Within the casing, and means for retraoting said bolt including a movably mounted cam adapted to abut against the casing in a predetermined position thereof to prevent retracting of the latch bolt. said cam clogging the latch bolt in said position.

14. A door latch comprising a spring pressed latch bolt adapted to be movablv mounted Within the door, a rotatable shaft mounted for movement transverse with respect to the bolt, a cam movable With the shaft and adapted to engage the bolt in one position of the sha-ft Jto-retract the bolt upon turning of theshaft, and means for clogging the cam in another position of the shaft to 

